Film
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Country legend Jerry Reed dies, 71
Jerry Reed, the country and western star who was also world famous for his role in the 'Smokey and the Bandit' films, has died. He was 71.
Reuters reports that Reed passed away on Monday from complications arising from emphysema.
Known as 'The Guitar Man', Grammy winner Reed made his first record aged 18 and went on to release over 40 albums.
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Reed wrote for Johnny Cash and Brenda Lee and two of his early songs, 'US Male' and 'Guitar Man', were recorded by Elvis Presley with Reed playing on the studio versions.
In the 1970s he found a new audience playing Burt Reynolds' sidekick 'The Snowman' in 'Smokey and the Bandit' and sang the film's theme song 'East Bound and Down'.
